One of my favorite characters in the bible as of late is Hannah. After a sermon preached at my church this Sunday, I began to adore Hannah's persistence and strength.
Hannah is a prime example of someone who refused to give up although she had been blocked from her dreams. She continued to go after the desires of her heart. She looked her adversary in the face and pressed forward, praying her dreams into fruition.
If you're unfamiliar with the story of Hannah you can find it here. But in summary, Hannah was married to a man with two wives. One wife had a child for their husband, but at the time, Hannah was barren.
I love Hannah's story because I'm reminded that God's promises will always prevail. Hannah's story reminds me that we should stay committed to our heart's desires in spite of discouragement. The spirit of hope within us should never evaporate because God's blessings are fashioned to come to pass at a time where He sees is best.
Like Hannah did in her time of disappointment, we should remain persistent in prayer. Here's why:
- God has a plan. This seems all kinds of obvious. Yet I'm writing this as number 1 because we often times forget that He does. Well, let me speak for myself. In my time of discouragement, I'm quick to forget Jeremiah 29:11 and what is written in His word. Although your situation seems completely hopeless, you're in that space for a reason. Stay faithful. He definitely has plans for you to prosper.
- Your dreams matter. Those desires were placed on your heart for a reason. That job you want? That business you're pressed to start? That creative vision you're passionate about? It's all a part of your purpose. Don't allow discouragement or disappointment to make you question your heart's desires. Like Hannah, pour your soul before the Lord. Make your dreams known to Him. They matter.
- You've come this far. The fact that you're facing the slightest bit of discouragement shows that you've made progress. So take a step back from discouragement and give yourself a round of applause. Don't confuse progress with perfection. Take this time to breathe, reevaluate your goals, do a dance, and go again. You're doing the dang thing! Press forward.
Last week I had the pleasure of attending a wedding and celebrating the union between two of my friends (and got to wear this lovely blue gown!) During this celebration I was reminded that God's plan always prevails. The beautiful couple has been together for 6 years, some of that time was spent apart in a long distance relationship. Yet their love prevailed. God's plan reigned supreme.
What might look discouraging to some might simply be a chance for God to show you His grace.
Your period of disappointment might simply be a chance for you to take a breather and go again.
And as Eli said to Hannah, I'll tell you this: "Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of Him."
I hope Hannah's story resonated with you as it did for me! Oh and if you enjoy my blue gown, outfit details are below!
Dress: Windsor
(Unfortunately this exact one is no longer online! Once I find a smiliar style I'll post the link here ASAP).
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October marks one year since I moved to London. This year has been completely life changing and God-filled to say the least.
Let me tell y'all about my God.
When I first arrived here mid October 2014, to say I was scared would be an understatement. (You can read more about my experience here). Yes, I loved London so much that I wanted to live here (it was not by force loll). However once I did, I was in tears literally everyday for the first few weeks. I wanted to quit and move back to California ASAP. But as luck would have it, God had other plans. I learned to cope with homesickness, depression, and downright dissatisfaction. I learned to be grateful, appreciate life, and vowed to travel the world. I told God that if he wanted me to stay here he would have to give me an amazing testimony. He sure did (and it is still blossoming).
How I coped:
- Having an amazing support system: When I first arrived, I didn't have many friends. Yes y'all. I was all by my lonesome for sometime. I went to school and came home. So I leaned heavily on my stateside family and friends. (Thank God for apps like What's App, Viber, and Skype). My family and friends kept me sane with their love, prayers, and understanding. I knew I could call them whenever..for a laugh, pep talk, or prayers.
- Holding on ever so tightly to the word of God: 'Til this day, I believe that God used my period of loneliness to draw me nearer to Him. It was in the time I was fully able to talk with Him. I read, prayed, read, prayed and repeated. My relationship with Him grew as I learned more about who He is and more about who I am through Him.
- Therapy: (Okay retail/food therapy is still therapy y'all!!). The weather here can be very gloomy and coming from Southern California, the lack of sunshine led to so many depressing days. I learned what made me happy. Sometimes it was upbeat/inspirational music, other times it was ice cream, but most times I would just shop (or window shop) at my favorite stores. (I know all my chronic shoppers can relate to this! lol).
- Travel!!: I challenged myself to break out of my comfort zone and explore places I've never visited. I found amazing places in London (like coffee shops, parks, etc) to simply sit and do homework. I had the opportunity to travel to some parts of Europe to explore, visit friends, and learn.
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| St. James' Park, London |
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| Sitges Beach, Barcelona |
Although it is still developing I'll share a little bit of my testimony with you all:
God has never left my side. Throughout my whole journey He has been guiding, protecting, and providing for me. He has given me countless opportunities.
Academic wise, I was successful in all my courses. Job wise, He has opened and closed so many doors which have blessed me tremendously. He has ordered my steps accordingly and caused me to cross paths with people and experiences that have changed my life. I'll definitely share more later, but I wanted to write this post simply to share how good God is and hopefully encourage you.
If there is nothing else I have to give God all the glory for allowing me to pursue my dream of living in London + completing my masters degree.
That dream you've been holding on to..that goal that's on the top of your list...go for it. Allow God to lead you. Trust Him and he will never forsake you. He will provide for you, He will keep you, He will love you.
Don't allow your fear to disrupt your progress. Don't allow those what-ifs to hinder your drive.
That country you've been wanting to visit? Go.
Allow God to make a way.
That program you've been thinking about applying for admission? Do it.
Let His will be done.
He is faithful.
I have a love/hate relationship with birthdays. In addition to them being a joyful time to celebrate life, to spoil yourself, to reflect on blessings, for me birthdays are also a time to measure how far I've progressed. I know I just turned 24 (yaay!) but for some reason I feel so OLD! I'm knocking on 25 and 30 is only around the corner! Yikes! I've experienced so much in the past year. 23 for me was a year of growth. A year of figuring out and realizing who God wants me to be...& how He desires to use me..So 24 needs to be a year of progression & preparation to step into my role. I've spent the past few weeks mulling over a mental to do list of realistic things I want to accomplish before I hit the big 2 5 - and in writing these things out (and sharing them with you all) I can only hope it will help in keeping me accountable!
- Earn my master's of science in Psychology
- Make a financial plan! (savings plan, budgeting plan..etc...the future is closer than I think!).
- Learn about investing my money (stocks, shares...all that jazz).
- Stay organized! Discipline my self to religiously write down life plans, business goals & career goals....As a student and passionpreneur I'm definitely organized now, but as more things come I think it's imperative that I form a system that will not only keep me organized but also keep me accountable.
- Perfect 5 go- to meals...I like to think I can throw down in the kitchen...but I need to perfect 5 Nigerian meals before I leave my father's house..ha! Jollof rice, pepper soup, egusi soup, stewed meat, my mother's fried rice!
- Create a 5 year plan...I'm all about writing down my goals- but now it's time to write out where I see myself in the next 5 years...one year at a time (Yikes! So scary to think that I'll be 29!!! Lord, be a fence!).
- Attend more conferences! (women's, business, culture...etc)
- Perfect 2 go-to hairstyle that I know I can rock!...I love experimenting with my hair..I'm a fan of changing my hairstyle every other month & can switch from faux locs, to crochet braids, then back to a wig in a matter of weeks! But as I get older I think it will be beneficial to just switch between one or two hairstyles...(no fun!).
- Own at least 3 go-to outfit essentials.
- denim jeans/blazer
- little black dress
- interview outfit (preferably a chic black dress)!
- oh..can't forget classic "nude" & classic black pumps!
- Learn how to make my make-up "on fleek"....I'm a fan of makeup but hardly a pro...it looks nice on people but I just can't be bothered with spending time to fill in my eyebrows and contour my cheek bones!...gotta do better so I can be "shine shine gal" (Naija accent)!
- Be beautiful..be confident...be fierce...not that fake confidence or that fake beauty...not the one where I look cute on social media but am actually a mess in real life. But the kind where I can step into a room and not be afraid to speak my mind, the kind where I'm bold enough to share my opinions, the kind where I'm not hesitant to let my personality spice up a conversation..and the kind of fierceness that will make me believe that my beauty is authentic.
- Learn a new language...like almost every Californian I took Spanish in school and can speak the basics. I currently live in Europe...so I told myself that I can't leave this continent without learning a new language! Oh & on that note I need to practice my native tongues! (Yes, tongues..lol..I'm Ijaw so my family's native languages are Ijaw, Obolo, and Igbo..ya girl has lots of learning to do..pray for me)!!
- Visit a foreign country...by myself....get immersed in another culture, interact with new people..lose myself in the midst of newness..be brave...take risks... As Paul Coehlo said: Nothing can substitute experience. And what greater an experience than taking a risk (but a cautious one) on my own?
- Take on more challenges..whether that's hiking up an incredible mountain, speaking in front of a crowd, serving God in a way I never expected or planned...
- Be on time and stick to a schedule.
The best thing about a to-do list is being able to cross items off once you've accomplished them.I'm excited to look at this list daily and track my progression over the next several months! (Inspired by my fab blogger friend Vic Styles)!
Outfit details:
Y'all know I had to step into 24 with class and a little sass! I wore this number to afternoon tea in Marylebone (London's West End) to celebrate my birthday :D
Soft Pink Midi BodyCon Dress: Miss Selfridge, London | Can be found here: Miss Selfridge
Floral Print Pumps: Primark, London
Clutch: Consignment shop in Santa Barbara, CA
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